My recently acquired Model 10

[bobsguns]

Reliability is the biggest reason to carry a revolver.

Versatility is nothing to sneeze at, IMO.

There are a lot more M10s that can do that than there are shooters who can do that.

You really need to define “50 yard shot.” Hitting somewhere on a B27 is one thing, pulling off a head shot at that range is a wee bit harder.

Yeah, I shoulda been a bit more specific.

I contend a carry gun should be able to hit a one of those 5-6" coffee cans. That's about the size of a person's face, IMO. A head shot at 50 yards isn't difficult with a bit of practice & decent ammo.

I agree there's more guns than shooters who can do a 50.

 

[Belgium1961]

I am from Belgium. My first department issued service revolver was a S&W 10-5. Best service weapon I ever carried.
They were replaced by Glock 17 en later with S&W MP9.
Still would like the model 10 instead of te S&W MP9, zes bullets with two speedloaders, are enough in most situations. Most schooting accidents happen mostly at maximum seven meters. I was able to shoot a moving target at 35 meters. But shooting at more than 20 meters in a city is to risky due to a miss and shooting a bystander. This is not different for a pistol.
Here there is a lot of stock you still can find here. For one in mint condition the price is 200 to 252 dollars.

 

[Darryl Z]

Very nice! I enjoy shooting the K frames. Here's a Model 10 I got cheap from GT Distributors and sent to S&W for rebluing

 

[MajorD]

But can it make a 50-yard shot? That should be the criteria for any gun, IMO.

When I lived back east, several of the local police agencies ran PPC matches. They graciously allowed this old retired soldier to shoot the matches as well. We would shoot the course 4 times, once with a “duty auto” ( such as a glock beretta 92 etc) once with a snub / off duty gun, once with a service revolver and then once with an “open gun” ( usually a tuned 1911 or custom PPC gun)
My humble beat up 60% finish cop trade in model 10 in my hands consistently shot the best 50 yard groups than any other gun I used, including tuned match grade 1911’s. For inherent accuracy I will choose a revolver every time!

 

[bobsguns]

Very nice! I enjoy shooting the K frames. Here's a Model 10 I got cheap from GT Distributors and sent to S&W for rebluing

Wow, just a beautiful refinish there! Love the grips too! Are those factory or who?

 

[MelvinWalker]

Wow, just a beautiful refinish there! Love the grips too! Are those factory or who?

They look like ones I have seen on Altamont's website...Nice sleek, modern but classic design

 

[bobsguns]

My humble beat up 60% finish cop trade in model 10 in my hands consistently shot the best 50 yard groups than any other gun I used, including tuned match grade 1911’s. For inherent accuracy I will choose a revolver every time!

Define "tuned". Spark plugs? New air filter? Slide to frame tightening? What? I recall that word, "tuned", when semi-custom guns began to be common.

"Inherent accuracy". I used to believe in that too. Then a rather smart gentleman convinced me that word meant nothing more than the meeting of the magic trifecta: bullet weight, velocity & twist. Not all guns meet this, nor do all calibers, IMO. I don't recall .40S&W winning any bulls-eye matches. USPSA matches, certainly. It completely pushed aside .38Super, something that staggered me. But it wasn't as bulls-eye accurate as .45acp, .38spl, etc.

We've all had a gun that shot wonderfully accurate but maybe one brand or weight irked it. I know I have. About the only ones that don't do that are guns such a Les Baer. Those guys shoot everything.

 

[Gunny209]

Model 10 is a great revolver. They are extremely accurate and durable. You can’t go wrong.

 

[bobsguns]

They look like ones I have seen on Altamont's website...Nice sleek, modern but classic design

I avoid their web site because my credit card is like a stray dog humping every leg he can find.

But yes, those grips look exceptionally nice & interesting as well. That's a rare combo, IMO. I love the rosewood (I assume?) as well.

 

[KenTheHunter]

I’ve rescued quite a few revolvers. Seen some nasty stuff under the sideplate from well meaning owners squirting oil into the action. But cutting coils off rebound springs and filing down strain screws? No thanks. I figure S&W engineers knew what they were doing. I get maybe trying out a Wolff spring pack, but cutting coils is not for me. Easy enough to replace it if you get light strikes, I guess.

It’s great that rescued guns find a good home. I have a model 10-7 (1979), that was probably a cops gun-a lot of blue wear, no rust or pitting ,and a very slick trigger.

 

[Berekamon]

This is my model 10 that I currently own, I have a new model 10 classic I bought just waiting to pickup from the FFL this week. I am curious how much does a re-bluing job cost, I'm leaning on the fence wither to get this one re-blued.

 

[Velle]

I've got a four inch 10-5 and a 6 inch M&P. Both have a lot of finish wear but function like new. I like the wear.

 

[raygixxer89]

Congratulations, it's nice that you found one in great condition. I once had an opportunity to buy a mint, blue 4",10-8 with a round butt frame but passed because I thought it was priced too high for the time period. I've regretted that decision for a long time. I did eventually manage to obtain a nice nickel 10-10 but blue guns are my preference. Earlier this year I picked up a 13-2 that I figured also scratches that itch for a blue model 10, 4-inch gun. View attachment 770909View attachment 770910

Nice! Here's my 10-8 and 13 no dash.
OP, yours looks great!

 

[DrMark]

I do like a Model 10. Here's one of mine...

 

[Baxter6551]

My 10-6 was a very finish challenged local retired Police Capts revolver. I had it bead blasted and reblued which came out a nice matte finish. Very accurate.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

… some bubbas lighten the trigger pull until the revolver is no longer 100% reliable.

Reliability is the biggest reason to carry a revolver.

But some people make the revolver unreliable.

In the Police Academy we had 100+ Cadets, all with revolvers. Some people have no aptitude with revolvers and that is why they flunked out.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I recently picked up two Model 10-10s that are French Forestry Service trade-ins. My gunsmith is working on them as we speak. Once I get them back I will be carrying both of them as my duty weapon …

J&G had them at $400 so I pass.

If you have an option for Duty Weapon I suggest a S&W 686 loaded with 357 Magnum ammunition. Most of my time as a policeman we had revolvers. The 357 is impressive against bad guys.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

But can it make a 50-yard shot? That should be the criteria for any gun, IMO.

One year for the Police Olympics in the Combat Shoot with duty weapon. One Stage was three hits on an eight inch plate at 50 yards to stop the clock.

Myself and one other needed only the three shots to stop the clock. Others had to reload repeatedly.